MARLBOROUGH SPORTS GARDEN
Marlborough Sports Garden is a fantastic public open space a few minutes walk from London Bridge.
The history of the Marlborough Sports Garden owes its existence to Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan, Duchess of Marlborough, who decreed that “Surplus land from an insanitary area between Borough High Street and Red Cross Street should be used as a recreation ground”. The park was opened in 1921. 100 years on this open space remains a valuable asset for Bankside.
Find the Sports Garden at 11 – 25 Union St, London SE1 1SD. Or hire a pitch now by clicking the button below:
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
The Sports Garden is used by the local community and those who understand the role it plays in promoting the health and wellbeing of residents. It is a rare outdoor space providing much-needed access to physical activity, sport, and leisure pursuits.
Open from 8am until 9pm, Marlborough Sports Garden is free to enter and available for everyone to use.
Please note pitches are bookable and therefore might be unavailable at certain times.
We prioritise school children’s access Monday – Friday from 3.00pm – 5.30pm during term-times and so the park is closed to other adults at this time.
The park has a football pitch, basketball facilities, table tennis tables, netball court, and seating areas. See below for more info about hiring the pitches or the park.
AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS
We host regular free, fun and active afterschool sports activities on site offering children and young people up to three coached sports sessions every Tuesday – Thursday in the Spring and Autumn terms. From rollerskating to beach tennis, touch rugby to girls’ football – there’s something for everyone!
See our News and Events page or keep an eye on our Instagram for up to date information.
PITCH BOOKINGS
Together with partners Playfinder and PlayFootball, you can book our football, netball or sand court for a game with family, friends or colleagues. Use our booking calendars by clicking on the button below:
Please select ‘BOOK WITH PLAYFOOTBALL‘ for hires between 12.00pm – 2.00pm or after 5.30pm if choosing weekdays. For all other times please select ‘BOOK WITH PLAYFINDER’.
MARLBOROUGH SPORTS GARDEN DEVELOPMENT
We’ve recently launched an award to celebrate participants taking part in our afterschool sports programme – the Mike Barnato Award, in memory of our dear trustee Mike who sadly died in 2022. For more information about the award, and Mike who inspired it, click here.
Bankside Open Spaces Trust have plans to harness the potential of this unique community sports facility through an ambitious re-development capital project.
With architects Cullinan Studio, we’ve created a vision to transform Marlborough Sports Garden. This £3 million+ project includes upgraded outdoor spaces, proper indoor toilets and changing facilities, a welcoming café offering healthy options and cooking workshops, and indoor studios to allow us to host community groups and classes year-round. Recently these design proposals picked up two architecture awards — winning the Future Place category at The Pineapples, which celebrate public spaces, and the Community Prize at the New London Architecture Awards.
Our plans have been to created to help us offer more opportunities for physical activity in our community, a particular focus for our work on site will be around engaging hard to reach groups and those who find it difficult to access sport.
Take a look at our award-winning plans for Marlborough Sports Garden via this fly through video.
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
We are seeking corporate partners to support fundraising for Marlborough Sports Garden’s redevelopment. Your support is vital to improving lives within the local community. Find out more here.
HIRING THE GARDEN FOR EVENTS
You can hire the garden for events of all kinds – please fill in the form below to make a request. Please note that a minimum of 5 weeks’ notice is usually needed to secure the site for an event.
HIRING THE VOLLEYBALL COURT?
Here’s a short video to help you set up the court, created by Deuce Beach Tennis – thank you!
*** UPDATE ***
In the video Chris is using anchors on both sides of the court to attach the carabines. Currently anchors on the further side of the court are replaced by hooks that are attached to wooden panels. If you cannot find them, please look for markings on the panel- black arrows that indicate where the hooks are installed. Carefully dig in the sand to find them.